N54 Challenge (TPGs)
 

Do you know what would be really fun? At the next National, let's get N54 to sponsor a "game".

Someone will have to think up a snappy name for this game. Something like "What's your number?" but with a bit more snap to it.

* Game will require the top TPG companies to provide 1 or 2 graders
** Game will require a few N54 members
*** N54 to find vintage graded cards. There will be 15 graded cards from each TPG.
**** All TPG labels to be completely covered so NOBODY can see anything about the card.
***** The graders will each assess each card and provide a grade (numerical, AUTH, ALT, etc).

In the end each card will be revealed with each of the contest graders assessment of the card.

If there has to be a winner, then the person is closest to the average grade for all the cards is the winner, however the exercise is more to see what the TPG graders assess the cards at after the cards already have an assigned grade.

This could be really fun. It could demonstrate just how arbitrary grading is and hopefully inspire people to open their eyes and buy the card and not the number on the label.

If the TPGs are afraid to do this (and I bet they will be), then have half a dozen N54 people and half a dozen volunteers from the audience do the grading. Maybe have a drawing where a volunteer from the audience wins a card. In any case, make sure the volunteers understand the grading process/criteria.

Problem
 

The first problem I can see is that the TPGs will say they cant evaluate the card adequately already in a holder..... it would have to be raw..... and on this I would have to agree! Some things can only be seen outside of the plastic!!

I guess......
 

That calls into question the "crossover" services they all offer:eek:

They will never agree to anything that exposes their multiple weaknesses. This exercise would simply demonstrate their flaws and reveal the randomness of third-party grading. Since it serves no benefit to them, they would never even consider participating in something so potentially humiliating.

I would love to see this play out as well, but they currently have you right where they want you. And they aren't about to jeopardize that stronghold they have around your neck.